From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has affirmed its commitment to restoring the state’s historic status as the industrial hub of Northern Nigeria. Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe encouraged manufacturers to collaborate with government entities to foster investment, create jobs, and boost economic growth.
Dr. Balarabe made this statement on Wednesday during a meeting with a delegation from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), led by its Director-General, Segun Akayi-Kadiri. She received the delegation on behalf of Governor Uba Sani at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
She pointed out that MAN’s decision to hold its Annual General Meeting in Kaduna offers a prime opportunity to strengthen government-industry relations and tackle the challenges businesses face.
“Manufacturing remains a vital driver of Nigeria’s economic progress through diversification, employment, value addition, import substitution, exports, and revenue generation,” she emphasized.
According to her, Kaduna possesses all the necessary foundations to regain its industrial prominence.
“Kaduna State’s position as an industrial hub is undisputed, especially here in the North. We have textiles, food and beverages, among others. There are tremendous opportunities for agro-processing in Kaduna,” she explained.
She highlighted the state’s agricultural resources, strategic location, and skilled workforce as key strengths. The Deputy Governor urged MAN members to leverage available investment opportunities and attract more investors to the region.
Dr. Balarabe reiterated Governor Uba Sani’s vision of repositioning Kaduna as the North’s industrial capital, emphasizing investment promotion, agro-processing, industrial clustering, infrastructure development, MSMEs, skills training, and a more business-friendly environment.
“We need to build Kaduna; we need to bring back the old glory of Kaduna. I know that each one of you, knowing what Kaduna used to be to the North, will have a hand in making this vision of ours come true,” she said.
To foster greater engagement, the Deputy Governor assured MAN of the government’s willingness to revive its business breakfast and dinner platforms, which previously facilitated direct dialogue between the government and the private sector.
“I believe that we can have a very great structure between the government and MAN so that we can always have a meeting point to dwell on these issues and see how we can surmount all the challenges you mentioned,” she stated.
She also encouraged honest feedback from manufacturers: “If we are doing well, please tell us; if we are doing badly, please also tell us, because that is the only way we can make significant improvements in what we are doing.”
Earlier, MAN Vice President for the North-West, Engr. Iliyasu Sale, praised the state government for its support of manufacturers and for the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the Kakuri Industrial Area, which he said was nearly complete.
He described these efforts as crucial to improving the business operating environment.
Sale noted that MAN, founded in 1971, represents over 2,500 manufacturing firms across 10 sector groups and more than 72 sub-sectors. He stated that the association’s engagement with Kaduna aims to strengthen collaboration and create an environment conducive to business expansion and job creation.
In his remarks, MAN Director-General, Segun Akayi-Kadiri, stressed that the private sector needs stronger cooperation with the government to foster industrial growth.
He called Kaduna a “veritable partner” in the effort to build Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy by 2030. Still, he cited major challenges like high interest rates, limited access to finance, unreliable and costly electricity, multiple taxes, regulatory hurdles, and poor infrastructure.
Akayi-Kadiri urged the state government to advocate for lower interest rates, standardize revenue collection to reduce multiple taxation, and promote local patronage of Nigerian-made products.
“When we patronize imported goods when we have local substitutes, we export jobs and import poverty,” he warned.
He also advocated for quarterly government-manufacturer meetings, including industrial areas in the state’s energy programs, and the urgent rehabilitation of roads and drainage systems within the Kakuri Industrial Area.
The MAN director-general commended Kaduna’s leadership in the supporting industry and encouraged the government to maintain this momentum to foster a competitive environment that attracts investment and creates jobs.
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